Customer Reviews

The Uninvited Guest

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I knew Steven for many years. He did not have a mental illness in the late 80's and in the 90's he was dealing with a major drug Addiction. His illness stemmed from many years of drug abuse for which I personally witness myself. The mental illness did not happen until mid to late 90's. He was rejected from the Margo's due to the drug use. He lived with me and his older brother Salvadore, off and on for a couple of years. The only problem he had was always feeling rejected from Sal and Margaret and the drugs. The drugs abuse caused Steven illness! Steven was the most loving, caring person on the earth. When the 1989 earthquake hit, he was the first person at my home and stayed for several days to help me and his older brother Salvadore around the house. I have ordered a used copy of the book and looking forward to see how accurate it really is. I knew Steven! I knew Sal Sr. I do know that Steven loved his dad! But I can't say much for Sal Sr. or Margaret until it was to late and Steven was so into his drug induced illness. I want to post something about Steven that I wrote and read at his service here in Riverbank California, for which Margaret did not attend! THIS IS THE TRUE STEVEN UNTIL THE ILLEGAL DRUGS TOOK OVER:

I met Steven Ray Margo in the summer of 1987. He was 21 years old. He was just a kid with a big heart. He was so much fun to be around. Steven had an awesome personality and was always smiling.

I remember the family reunion at Aunt Glema and Uncle Tommy's; Steven was always making somebody laugh especially when he and Sam were trying to ride the horse. The horse was bucking everyone off that tried to get on him. Steven was hysterically laughing, which had everyone laughing when Sam was thrown off and landed on the ground being just slightly injured. It was definitely hilarious. Steven was having so much fun and was dancing the night away with everyone. In fact, Steven had a special talent. He could see a dance move on TV and the next thing I knew he could do it. Steven definitely had rhythm.

In 1989, we had the big earthquake and Steven was the first person there minutes after the quake to help with my kids. He helped clean out the living room by shovel and stayed that night. There were so many aftershocks that we developed a plan. Steven was in charge of Alexis, Salvadore had Jason, and I had Samantha. The plan was as the aftershocks occurred we all were to grab a kid and run out the door. We all stayed and slept in the living room, but there was a problem with the plan. Each and every time we had an aftershock Steven and Salvadore would run out of the house, but they forgot something - the kids and me. I would just stand there as they would come back in all shaking and then I would tease them because they forgot us.

Steven loved the ocean; he loved to surf, fish and boogie board. In the summer of 1997, Steven went with my family to go boogie boarding. He, Douglas, and Alexis were having so much fun hurting themselves as the waves came crashing in on them, that all he could do was smile and thank us for taking him. He was so thankful because even though I was not part of his family anymore we still had love for each other. Steven was always like my little brother and as he once told me, I was his big sister.

On Christmas Eve, 1998, I received a phone call from Mom (Steven's REAL MOM) and Bill saying that Steven was here for Christmas and for us to come on over. Douglas and I went over that night. It felt so good to see him again. While we were there, Sam was playing the guitar and wanted Steven to sing along while he played. Steven was nervous and embarrassed. We finally convinced him to sing along while Sam played. It was absolutely beautiful and memorable. As Steve was singing and Sam was playing the guitar, I look over at mom and tears of joy were rolling down her face. I sat there in total aw watching the look on her face, knowing this was the most beautiful gift her boys could have ever given her. It was so special that mom will never forget it and neither will I.

Steven could make you laugh, he could make you cry, and he was an all around great guy. Thanks for the memories Steven we all love you and you will be missed.

I found this book during a compelling story through Mrs. Margo's son, Sam. What impressed me the most, throughout the story and the tragedy that followed, was the subtle, but powerful bond you could FEEL throughout the pages. This family is unique in the power of familial love. It is a book that is hard not to think about after you've finished the last page. There aren't many books that have done that to me. I am honored to have been shared this story. God Bless Mrs. Margo and her family now and throughout their respective lives.

Katharine Finger
19 Erick Court
Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
11724

This book helped me understand a little more about what families go through when somebody isn't thinking "right". I feel sorry for people who have mental illness because alot of times they look just fine but really they aren't. I hope that doctors will find out more about why people get sick like this and help people just like they do for people with aids, cancer and other illnesses.

I feel incredibly sorry for Margaret's loss, Sal was a gem of a man.I knew him personally. You could never meet such a warm and gentler soul than Sal.

Unfortunately, Margaret's story was not completely honest, which I understood to be the purpose of her book. I did not understand mental illness any clearer after reading her book than before I read "The Uninvited Guest". It seemed as if Margaret was looking for acceptance and forgiveness from her friends and family. She explained away questions that we have all had after Sal's murder.

I wanted to know when and how she knew Steven was ill, how did she handle the illness, was she frustrated with Steven, why was Sal gone away from home working 12-14 hour days when his son was so ill,how did she handle all the pressure of mothering six children and deal with Steven, how did the other children deal with Steven and his illness, how did Steven's illness affect their marriage, raw emotions on how real people handle mental illness in their everyday lives. I had hoped her book would shed light on the most common questions about mental illness.

Her story seemed to cover everything but what to do, realisticly. Blaming the "system" and being able to quote the Bible was not enough to save Sal and Steven. Does she feel she could have done more?

The book seemed to focus mostly on Margaret. She repeatedly spoke of her ability to forgive Steven and everyone else in her life, she feels as if she has a gift. I had many questions in my mind about things before and after Sal's murder. I have never spoke of them to anyone, but Jim. I must not have been the only one of the 700 people at Sal's "beautiful funeral" because she addresses many of my unspoken questions.

According to Margaret, this is why she joined the Italian Catholic Federation because "They don't ask questions", page 45 of her book. Wasn't her goal in writing the book to make people more aware of mental illness? "They love me for me", what about Sal and Steven! She should invite questions and discussion, if her goal is to shed light on mental illness and save another family from this "monkey on his back" page 9, attitude toward mental illness.

I am not as spirtual as she is in her faith, but this book seems like a tribute to Margaret, by Margaret. Everyone needs to remember Sal, not how Margaret forgave her step-son Steven.

One last question Margaret has in her book is on page 13. She asks 'why do families have to look after their mentally ill..."

The answer, Margaret is love.

Everyone knows someone with/or dealing with a loved one with a mental disorder. You feel sometimes very isolated when a loved one has a mental illness. This book gives you hope, tools, faith, and most of all freedom to be able to "tell your story" and not feel ashamed. Hopefully the stigma of mental illness will be broken with the help of stories like this.